Cooking appliance with a vessel comprising a draining device with a thermal safety valve

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a case ( 1 ) and a vessel ( 2 ). Said vessel is intended to receive a cooking bath and is equipped with a draining device ( 10 ) which is used to drain the contents of the vessel ( 2 ) into a draining container ( 3 ), said container being removably-disposed in relation to the case ( 1 ). According to the invention, the draining device ( 10 ) comprises a thermostatic valve ( 16 ) consisting of a heat-sensitive mechanical element which moves according to the temperature.

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field ofcooking appliances having a vessel, or tank, provided to receive acooking bath. The present invention concerns more particularlyappliances of the type mentioned above comprising a device for emptyingthe cooking bath contained in the vessel.

[0002] The present invention concerns particularly, but not exclusively,fryers. In effect, the cooking bath is not limited to a bath of oil orof melted fat, but can equally consist of any editable material that issufficiently fluid to flow through an emptying device, and particularlya water-based liquid.

[0003] The patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 2,597,695, CH 325 786 and FR 2665 068 disclose fryers having an emptying conduit. However, none ofthem provides for a receptacle for collecting cooking liquid. The patentdocument FR 2 773 976 describes a fryer having an emptying conduit and areceptacle supported by a drawer mounted in the housing of theappliance. The utilization of such appliances requires careful attentionon the part of the user with regard to the emptying of oil out of thehousing.

[0004] The U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,164 document describes a fryer of theindustrial type having a vessel and an emptying receptacle housed in aframe. The vessel has an emptying conduit closed by a gate, or valve.The emptying receptacle is mounted in a removable manner on the innerface of a door of the frame. The transposition of such a form ofconstruction into a household appliance appears to present safetyissues.

[0005] The document DE 1 99 07 150 describes a cooking appliance whosevessel has an emptying conduit equipped with a motorized valve. Thecontrol device of the motor can have a temperature sensor permittingemptying of the vessel to be avoided as long as the temperature of thecontents of the vessel is too high. Such a construction can beenvisioned for an industrial or professional appliance but proves to betoo costly for a domestic appliance.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to increase the safety ofcooking appliances having a vessel provided with an emptying device.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide anappliance of the type described above having a compact and economicalstructure.

[0008] These objects are achieve with a cooking appliance having in ahousing a vessel provided to receive a cooking bath, furnished with anemptying device provided for pouring of the contents of the vessel intoan emptying receptacle arranged in a removable manner with respect tothe housing, by the fact that the emptying device has a thermostaticvalve comprising a thermosensitive mechanical organ movable as afunction of temperature. The thermosensitive mechanical organ is forexample a bimetallic part, a part made of a shape memory alloy or a waxpiston. Due to the mechanical organ that is movable as a function oftemperature, the thermostatic valve can present an open configuration ora closed configuration as a function of the temperature level. Thus,emptying of the contents of the vessel can be prevented as long as thetemperature of the cooking bath exceeds a certain threshold. Thisarrangement permits an improvement in the safety of the appliance bylimiting the risks of burns during handling of the empty receptacle. Inaddition, materials that are less noble and thus less costly can beutilized for fabrication of the emptying receptacle, such as for examplepolypropylene. The emptying receptacle can be disposed in the housing orcan form a base on which the housing rest. The vessel can be removableand can be placed in a dishwasher. The thermostatic valve of theemptying device permits attainment of safety independent of an openingand closing control operated by the user. In addition, such aconstructions is less costly, no motor being necessary to activate thethermostatic valve.

[0009] Advantageously, the thermostatic valve is arranged in a conduitopening into the bottom of the vessel. This arrangement permits emptyingto be facilitated.

[0010] Advantageously, a filter is arranged upstream of the thermostaticvalve. This arrangement permits residue present in the cooking bath tobe prevented from affecting the operation of the thermostatic valve.This arrangement also permits an improvement in the quality of thecooking bath during successive frying operations with the same bath.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the thermostatic valve has abimetallic snap action disk. Other embodiments can equally beenvisioned, for example, a thermostatic valve having a wax piston oreven a part made of the shape memory alloy.

[0012] Advantageously, the emptying device has a second valve comprisinga movable blocking part maneuvered by a maneuvering button. Thisarrangement permits the user to control emptying.

[0013] Advantageously then, the thermostatic valve is arranged betweenthe vessel and the second valve. This arrangement permits a thermalcontact between the cooking bath and the movable organ as a function ofthe temperature of the thermostatic valve to be envisioned. Thereresults therefrom a more rapid reaction of the valve as much during arise in temperature of the cooking bath as during cooling.

[0014] Advantageously then, the maneuvering button drives the movableblocking part through the intermediary of a control mechanism mounted onthe emptying receptacle. Thus, in the absence of the emptyingreceptacle, the user does not risk proceeding to empty the appliance. Inaddition, the installation of the control mechanism on the emptyingreceptacle facilitates construction of a removable vessel. The emptyingreceptacle can be disposed in the housing or can even form a base onwhich the housing rests.

[0015] Advantageously, the maneuvering button drives the controlmechanism and is installed on the emptying receptacle. This arrangementpermits construction to be simplified. Alternatively, the maneuveringbutton can for example be mounted on the housing.

[0016] Advantageously, the housing has a lateral opening in which theemptying receptacle can be at least partially inserted. This arrangementpermits manipulation of the emptying receptacle to be facilitated.Alternatively, the housing can for example be made in two parts, anupper part at least partially surrounding the vessel, and a lower partsupporting the emptying reservoir, the upper part being retracted foraccess to the emptying reservoir.

[0017] Advantageously then, the maneuvering button is mounted on anexterior lateral face of the emptying receptacle. This arrangementpermits construction to be simplified. Alternatively, maneuvering buttoncan for example be accessible through a door arranged on a face of thehousing.

[0018] Advantageously, the vessel is removable with respect to thehousing.

[0019] The invention will be better understood from a study of thefollowing example of construction, which is not in any way limiting,illustrated in the attached figures in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a view showing a cooking appliance according to theinvention in the position provided for emptying the contents of thevessel, the exterior housing being shown in broken lines,

[0021]FIG. 2 is a partial view of the appliance shown in FIG. 1, in aposition after emptying of the vessel, showing the safety deviceprovided to prevent two successive emptyings without retracting of theemptying receptacle,

[0022]FIG. 3 is a partial view in transverse cross section of theappliance shown in FIG. 1, in a position after emptying of the vessel,

[0023]FIG. 4 is a partial view in transverse cross section of theappliance shown in FIG. 1, in the position provided for emptying thecontents of the vessel.

[0024] The appliance illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is a fryer having ahousing 1 presenting an upper opening receiving a vessel 2 provided toreceive a cooking liquid. The upper opening can be closed by a lid, notshown in the figures. Housing 1 equally presents a lateral opening inwhich an emptying receptacle 3 is engaged.

[0025] As is more clearly visible in FIGS. 3 and 4, vessel 2 has anemptying device 10. Vessel 2 is advantageously removable and has means,such as feet 8, provided to permit the vessel to be placed on a workingsurface. If desired, electric heating means 9 can be fixed under vessel2. By way of a variant, the electric heating means can be arranged inhousing 1 or even in vessel 2.

[0026] Emptying device 10 comprises an evacuation conduit 15 extendingfrom the bottom of vessel 2. Conduit 15 is protected by a filter 14. Aspring-loaded valve 20 blocks the lower part of conduit 15. Athermostatic valve 16 is arranged between filter 14 and spring-loadedvalve 20.

[0027] Conduit 15 is formed by a body 11 advantageously made of aplastic material resistant to the high temperatures of the cooking bath,for example A model resistant up to 250° C. in case of a fryer. Body 11is mounted to be removable with respect to vessel 2. A seal 19 isinterposed between vessel 2 and body 11. Seal 19 is advantageouslysecured to body 11 in order to prevent loss during disassembly of theemptying device or omission during reassembly of said device.

[0028] Filter 14 is removably mounted with respect to vessel 2 and body11. According to the example of construction illustrated in the figures,filter 14 is fixed to a ring 13 assembled by a bayonet connection withbody 11. Ring 13 is housed in a removable manner in a recess of thebottom of vessel 2. Ring 13 is immobilized in rotation with respect tovessel 2. The upper part of body 11 is engaged in an opening formed inthe bottom of vessel 2, and carries ramps 11 a cooperating with ramps 13a of ring 13 to form the bayonet assembly.

[0029] Thermostatic valve 16 comprises a bimetallic snap-action disk 17fixed on the lower face of a perforated plate 18 blocking the upper endof body 11. Plate 18 is for example crimped to the interior of body 11.

[0030] Bimetallic snap-action disk 17 forms a thermosensitive mechanicalorgan that is moveable as a function of temperature. Disk 17 isrepresented in FIGS. 3 and 4 in the open position corresponding to thelow temperature position. Disk 17 in the high temperature positionblocks conduit 15. The temperature of transition between the hightemperature position and the low temperature position during cooling isfor example of the order of 90° C. in the case of the a fryer.

[0031] By way of example, this disk is made from a bimetallic laminateand has a diameter of 30 mm. In the closed position, the disk 17 iscurved toward the bottom and its periphery comes to bear against aninternal annular shoulder 12 of body 11. Valve 16 is thus closed. In theopen position, disk 17 is curved in the other direction, thus toward thetop, and provides a passage toward the orifices of perforated plate 18.Liquid can then pass through thermostatic valve 16.

[0032] Spring-loaded valve 20 has a movable blocking part 21 equippedwith a toroidal peripheral seal 22. Part 21 is mounted on a spring 23bearing against the lower face of the disk 17. The rest position ofspring 23 corresponds to FIG. 3 in which spring-loaded valve 20 isclosed.

[0033] Emptying receptacle 3 has a volume sufficient to receive thecooking bath contained in vessel 2. Emptying receptacle 3 has a recoverytrough 30 closed by a lid 31. Emptying receptacle 3 has an outer lateralface 32. If desired, face 32 can be made at least partially oftransparent or translucent material in order to permit the user to seethe filling or emptying of receptacle 3.

[0034] Emptying receptacle 3 also comprises an emptying controlmechanism 40 which can advantageously be mounted on recovery trough 30.Control mechanism 40 comprises a movable control piece 42 mounted aroundan inlet conduit 41 that opens into a lateral wall 33 of trough 30.Movable control piece 42 presents a funnel 43 and a cam 44 provided toactuate spring-loaded valve 20. Movable control piece 42 is connected toa maneuvering button 45 mounted on the outer lateral face 32 of emptyingreceptacle 3. Maneuvering button 45 drives piece 42 in rotation. Thelateral wall of conduit 41 has a filling opening 46 surrounded by atoroidal seal 47 in a manner to assure a secure seal between conduit 41and movable control piece 42. Maneuvering button 45 is movable between autilization position corresponding to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and3 and an a position called the emptying position corresponding to theposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In the emptying position, shown mostclearly in FIG. 4, funnel 43 is disposed above filling opening 46, andcam 44 pushes valve 20.

[0035] The appliance includes a safety device 25 constructed to preventwithdrawal of emptying receptacle 3 when valve 20 is opened. For thispurpose, the lower end of conduit 15 has a longitudinal slot 26, and cam44, arranged as a part of funnel 43, comes to be inserted into slot 26during rotation of movable control piece 42 toward the emptyingposition, as shown in FIG. 4. Control mechanism 40 thus includes a bolt27 provided to cooperate with a striking plate 28 forming a part ofvalve 20 when valve 20 is in its opened position, bolt 27 being formedby a lateral face of cam 44, striking plate 28 being formed by slot 26.

[0036] The appliance according to the invention includes another safetydevice 50 that acts to prevent two consecutive emptyings.

[0037] For this purpose, a movable safety piece 51 is arranged betweenhousing 1 and emptying receptacle 3. Piece 51 is guided in longitudinaltranslation by guide abutments 52. The longitudinal movement of piece 51is limited by stops 53. An upper flexible blade mounted on piece 51 isprovided to come to abut against emptying receptacle 3 duringintroduction of said receptacle into housing 1, then to bear againstemptying receptacle 3 when piece 51 is blocked by one of the abutments53.

[0038] Piece 51 includes a first cam 55 provided to cooperate with afoot 48 extending from movable control piece 42 when maneuvering button45 has been brought to its emptying position after introduction ofemptying receptacle 3. Piece 51 includes a second cam 56 provided tocooperate with foot 48 when maneuvering button 45 is moved into itsutilization position after an emptying operation. Piece 51 includes ablocking abutment 57 provided to block rotation of movable control piece42 when maneuvering button 45 is urged toward the emptying positionafter a new utilization without withdrawal of emptying receptacle 3.

[0039] The present embodiment functions in the following manner.

[0040] When vessel 2 is in place in housing 1, the appliance is readyfor cooking. When emptying receptacle 3 is in place in housing 1, theuser can control emptying by means of maneuvering button 45. Cam 44comes to be inserted into slot 26 and pushes movable blocking part 21 ofvalve 20.

[0041] However, according to the invention, emptying can not occur aslong as bimetallic snap-action disk 17 is in the high temperatureposition. Thermostatic valve 16 is then in the closed position. When thetemperature of disk 17 in contact with the liquid has reach the reversalthreshold, thermostatic valve 16 opens.

[0042] The opening temperature of thermostatic valve 16 during coolingpermits selection, for the emptying receptacle and/or the controlmechanism, of materials having a limited temperature resistance. Inaddition, the risk of burning during handling of emptying receptacle 3are reduced.

[0043] Spring-loaded valve 20 permits emptying to be prevented ifemptying receptacle 3-is not in place in housing 1. When emptyingreceptacle 3 is in place, the user turns maneuvering button 45 and cam44 pushes movable part 21 of valve 20. The contents of the vessel canthen flow into emptying receptacle 3 if thermostatic valve 16 is in theopen position.

[0044] Safety device 25 permits withdrawal of emptying receptacle 3 fromhousing 1 to be avoided due to the insertion of bolt 27 into slot 28when control mechanism 40 is in the emptying position, cam 44 pushingmovable part 21 of valve 20.

[0045] Safety device 50 prevents a second emptying from being performedif receptacle 3 has not been withdrawn at least partially by a certainamount from housing 1 and then put back in place, through theintermediary of displacements of piece 51 during maneuvering of controldevice 40 from the utilization position toward the emptying position andback, as well as during withdrawal and then reintroduction of emptyingreceptacle 3.

[0046] According to a variant, emptying control mechanism 40 need not besecured to recovery trough 30, and can for example be mounted on lid 31of emptying receptacle 3.

[0047] According to a variant, maneuvering button 45 can be mounted on alateral face of the emptying receptacle housed within the housing whensaid receptacle is installed in the housing. The maneuvering button canthen be accessible through a door provided in the lateral wall of thehousing.

[0048] According to a variant, maneuvering button 45 can be mounted onhousing 1 of the appliance, for example opposite the lateral window ofthe housing provided for insertion of the emptying receptacle. Theconnection between the maneuvering button and the control mechanism thentakes place upon insertion of the emptying receptacle into the housing.

[0049] According to a variant, emptying receptacle 3 can form a basereceiving, in a removable manner, the housing surrounding the vessel.

[0050] The present invention is not in any way limited to the exemplaryembodiment described and to its variants, but encompasses numerousmodifications in the framework of the claims.

1. Cooking appliance having in a housing (1) a vessel (2) provided toreceive a cooking bath, furnished with an emptying device (10) providedfor pouring of the contents of the vessel (2) into an emptyingreceptacle (3) arranged in a removable manner with respect to thehousing (1), characterized in that the emptying device (10) has athermostatic valve (16) comprising a thermosensitive mechanical organmovable as a function of temperature.
 2. Cooking appliance according toclaim 1, characterized in that the thermostatic valve (16) is arrangedin a conduit (15) opening into the bottom of the vessel (2).
 3. Cookingappliance according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that afilter (13) is arranged upstream of the thermostatic valve (16). 4.Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized inthat the thermostatic valve (16) has a bimetallic snap action disk (17).5. Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized inthat the emptying device (10) has a second valve (20) comprising amovable blocking part (21) maneuvered by a maneuvering button (45). 6.Cooking appliance according to claim 5 characterized in that thethermostatic valve (16) is arranged between the vessel (2) and thesecond valve (20).
 7. Cooking appliance according to claim 6characterized in that the maneuvering button (45) drives the movableblocking part (21) through the intermediary of a control mechanism (40)mounted on the emptying receptacle (3).
 8. Cooking appliance accordingto claim 7 characterized in that the maneuvering button (45) driving thecontrol mechanism (40) is mounted on the emptying receptacle (3). 9.Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized inthat the housing (1) has a lateral opening in which the emptyingreceptacle (3) can be at least partially inserted.
 10. Cooking applianceaccording to claim 8, characterized in that the housing (1) has alateral opening in which the emptying receptacle (3) can be at leastpartially inserted and in that the maneuvering button (45) is mounted onan exterior lateral face (32) of the emptying receptacle (3). 11.Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized inthat the vessel (2) is removable with respect to the housing (1).